Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston  announced on Sept. 11 the sentencing of two men accused of trafficking a young teen in exchange for rent money.  A jury found Algie Christian, 79, guilty on Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Child Molestation. The jury also convicted Terrill Sanford, 42, of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie, who presided over the trial,  sentenced Christian to Life in Prison, and Sanford to 50 years to serve 30 in custody and the remainder on probation.  According to the investigation, officers with…

DECATUR,GA– The Decide DeKalb Development Authority board today (Sept. 11)approved two transformative projects totaling over $6 million in Tax Allocation District (TAD) investments. The two projects include a $3.8M award in Candler Crossing, a grocery-anchored development improving food access in Southwest DeKalb, and a $2.3M award for Cottages at Midway, an 18-unit mixed-income homeownership cottage community in Decatur. “These approvals represent exactly the kind of strategic investment that transform communities,” said Dorian DeBarr, president of Decide DeKalb. “Together, these projects will address critical needs, from access to fresh groceries to attainable housing, while creating jobs, improving infrastructure and demonstrating how public investment can unlock private…

DECATUR, GA– Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continue Monday, Oct. 13, with the launch of the Cliff Valley Sewer Improvement Project. In total, crews will replace approximately 4,684 linear feet of ductile iron sewer pipe in the vicinity of Cliff Valley Way. This project will be separated into Phase IA, Phase IB and Phase II. To learn more about the Cliff Valley Sewer Improvement Project, join the virtual community meeting on Thursday, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m., via Zoom at: https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/85057178581. Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Expect road closures and detours as DeKalb County Watershed Management(DWM) construction crews replace sewer lines and manhole structures on 2nd and 3rd Avenues in Decatur.     Motorists are advised that construction will take place during the following periods: 2ndAvenue: Ongoing – Sept.19, 2025 3rdAvenue: Sept. 29 – Oct.17, 2025 Road closure and detour signs will be posted advising motorists of local traffic restrictions. These dates are subject to change based on weather conditions. Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should…

LILBURN, GA– The City of Lilburn invites the community to join a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Sept.13, at 10 a.m., to officially unveil recent beautification improvements at the Lilburn Community Garden located at 16 Camp Creek Drive. The garden is located across the railroad tracks from Lilburn City Park. Funded through SPLOST, the project has transformed the garden’s entrance and gathering spaces with thoughtful enhancements, including: A new split-rail fence and updates to the original garden sign Fresh pavers around the American flagpole A welcoming seating area with shade sails and Adirondack chairs Decorative lighting (installation forthcoming) An array of…

CONYERS, GA. – Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) honors 168 students recently named 2025 Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars – including four who earned the AP Capstone Diploma for their outstanding performance on the 2024-2025 exams. This marks an increase of 44 students from the previous year with all RCPS high schools represented among the AP Scholars. The number of RCPS students scoring 3 or higher also increased 38% from 538 students in 2023-24 to 742 students in 2024-25. “These results reflect the hard work of our students and the dedication of our teachers and staff,” said RCPS Superintendent Shirley Chesser. “We are…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County is mourning the loss of Firefighter Preston Fant, a 21-year veteran of DeKalb County Fire Rescue, who died in the line of duty while battling a warehouse fire on Monday, Sept. 8. On Tuesday, Sept. 9, flags across DeKalb County government buildings were lowered to half-staff in honor of Fant. At Fire Station 24 on Redan Road, where Fant was stationed, his colleagues stood solemnly alongside Chief Darnell Fullum, who reflected on Fant’s service and legacy during Tuesday morning’s press conference.  Fant, 53, is DeKalb County’s first firefighter to die in the line of duty…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, in partnership with the U.S. Marshals Task Force, arrested 14 suspects—including three juveniles—in connection with recent thefts and violent assaults in Stone Mountain, Georgia. On Aug. 26, deputies executed an endeavor at a residence on Copperfield Circle in Decatur, Georgia, to serve arrest warrants for four individuals wanted on charges of Armed Robbery and Aggravated Assault.  The operation resulted in an additional 68 warrants and the seizure of multiple illegal weapons and narcotics, including: 15 firearms (11 modified with illegal automatic switches) 220 grams of marijuana 77 grams of MDMA/Ecstasy 82 grams…